Pizza van nearer to new base
Proposed fast food trailer in High Street is granted a lawful development certificate
PLANNERS have granted a lawful development certificate for a pizza van in Hungerford High Street.
As reported in February, applicant Shane Finlay wants to operate the fast food trailer between 5pm and 10pm every Saturday in the parking area outside 25 High Street and opposite The Plume pub.
Hungerford Town Council’s environment and planning committee told planners that councillors did not object, “subject to the food trailer not interfering with the existing takeaway kebab van and the food trailer not parking in any disabled parking space”.
The chief executive of the Town & Manor charity, Ellie Dickins, has also previously said she wanted parking spaces kept clear.
But a planning officer’s report stated: “A local planning authority needs to consider whether, on the facts of the case and relevant planning law, the specific matter is, or would be, lawful.
“Planning merits are not relevant at any stage in this particular application or appeal process.
“There is no statutory requirement to consult third parties, including parish councils or neighbours.
“Views expressed by third parties on the planning merits of the case, or on whether the applicant has any private rights to carry out the operation,
use or activity in question, are irrelevant when determining the application.”
The Town & Manor of Hungerford owns the land where it is proposed to site the van.
However,
the
report
stressed:
“Land ownership, including any restrictions that may be associated with land, is not a planning matter.
“An appropriate legal professional will be able to provide further advice on this if necessary.
It concluded: “On the basis of the evidence submitted, the stationing of the food trailer within the roadside car park, between the hours of 5pm and 10pm every Saturday is not considered development and a certificate of lawfulness should be issued.
“However, it should be noted that this application has been determined on the very specific circumstances as set out within the submission and this certificate has been issued on the temporary nature of the use of the land to station the trailer.”
The town council’s environment and planning committee is due to consider the implications of the decision at its next, online meeting on Monday.
The Town & Manor has been invited to comment, but had not done so as this newspaper went to press.